The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-04

the popular VeIulct was tina he had
done we'll in all his Stewardship, and
should go up still higher. Thus, by
a rare unanimity, in 1926, he was
elected Vice President, at a time
when many candidates for the presi.
dency divided the people into
earnestly contendin0 parties.
Thus the breath of life was
breathed into the Union. II was
created by the States, its purposes
and powers expressly enumerated
and restricted by the compact. The
constitution was the soul, the form
ofgovernment the body ofthe Union.
Whose adhered to the constitution,
and maintained its vitality, defending
its principles aud upholdiog its pur-
poses, was friend to the Union, and
be who perverted il from its declared
purposes, thus breaking the only
bond which held the States together,
WIS logically and criminally dis
unisnist. To claim, because he still
adhered to the form OF the govern
ment, that he was, therefore, a friend
OF the Union Of the United States is
as If the man who should take the
life Of his neigtbor could, by en-
b lining his body, prove himself to
have been his friend.
In the beginning of Mr.. Calhoun's
career we find him the champion of
the honor and independence OF
tho United States and subso-
quently advocating q policy
Of a tariff and internal
improvements as means OF proyid-
ing for the common defense. His
patriotism and generosity caused him
TO overlook the danger which lurked
beneath measures which, distorted
from their real purpose, could be
made to serve the Acknowledgement OF
one section, the impoverishment OF
another, and taxation, not for com
mon defense, but for the benefit Of
individuals and corporations. In
this, as in other instances al his pub.
lilo career, we find evidence of the
extent TO which his broad patriot
ism. generosity and purity epgen.
dered confidence which ne yer
proved misplaced. When abuses,
progressing in geometrical ratio,
warned him Of the evils which threat
ened the perpetulty Of the Union, he
labored assiduously, even unto the
end Of his life, TO point out the dan
ger and invoke the application Of APP
propriate remedies. IL is hut jus.
ticc TO him to say that his ardent de-
vo,ion to the Union Of the Constitu-
ton was the source OF whatever his
friends will admit were the errors Of
his political life, aud IL is a tribute
10 his elevated nature that he did
not anticipatcsll that sordid avarice
and narrow selfshness would build
on the small foundation which patri-
otto credulity had laid.
NOT A DIsUSIoSTsT.
Let us now examine the odious
and uniounded accusation that he
was disuniorist.
To the clear understanding Of the
charge IL is necessary, in tho first
place, In define the true meaning OF
the word union" Tho history Of
its formation irrciutably proves that
IL was a confederation Of sovereign
States, each acting separately aud for
itself alone. The States 40 agreeing
10 unite entered into compact
styled "Thc Constitution Of the
United States OF America" This
Constitution was declared 10 be bind.
ing between the States ratifying the
same, aud that Tho ratification OF
the conventions Of nine States shall
DO sufficient for the establishment OF
the Constitution between the States
80 ratiiying the same. Art. VII.
The men who founded our Consti-
tutional Government were too pro
found as statesmen and philosophers
after having achieved their indie
pendoncc Of Great Britain. TO trans.
Ter the liberties they had acquired
10 the control Of a majority OF the
people, en- masse. The most careless
reading Of the Constitution, and III,
laws cuscted 10 carry out its provis
ions, will show there Is not depart
mont officer OF the Federal Govern
mont who derives power aud author
ity from majority Of the people o
the United States. The power o
amending the Constitution was giver
10 tho States, not 10 the people col
lectively. From the speech Of Mr.
Calhoun. delivered in the Senat,
February 10 aud l6, 1873, | make tn,
following extract
ITO maintain the ascondenoy o
the constitution over tho law max
ing majority is tho great aud essen
tial point on which the success o
the system must depend. Unlcs
that Asccndcncy can be preserve,
the necessary consequence must b,
that tho laws will suporsodc Oh,
constitution, and finally the will o
tho Executive, by the influence o
his patronage, will supersode Oh,
laws, indications Of which arc al
ready pcrccptiblc. This ascendouc,
can only be preserved through IN,
action Of the States as organise,
bodies, having their own separat,
governments aud possessed Of tn
right, under tho structure OF GU
system, Of Judging Of tho extent o
their separate powers, aud OF inter
posing their authority TO arrest tn
unauthorized onaotments OF tn
general government within their re
spectiyc limits" Additional eyi
donce could be abundautly oifere,
that nullidcAtion was intended /
conserve, not to destroy, the Union
aud In the manner proposed 10 sc
euro q remedy short OF secession
IL would be unfair 10 Judge OF III
praoicability oil the plan by "a
state Of the country at a subscquon
date, aud We must presume that !
was more feasible 10 1873 than It wa
Ia 1860.
In 1850. during the long aud OK
citing dobatc over what was know a
tho compromise measures OF tia
year, Mr.. Calhoun was general
oonfised 10 his lodgings, being too H
and debilitated 10 oecuDV his seat 4